PROPOSED CITY AMBULANCE SERVICE RAISES FINANCIAL CONCERNS (UPDATED)
UPDATE:
Citizens will be able to speak about the ambulance proposal at next week’s city council meeting on June 10th at 6 p.m. Those interested in joining the discussion can on Tuesday can go to https://crossvilletn.gov/public-comment/ and fill out the form there before the meeting.
ORIGINAL STORY:
During the Crossville City Council meeting last night, a proposed city-run ambulance service within the Crossville Fire Department was a focal point of discussion, driven by concerns over funding and delays in the existing Cumberland County EMS.
Resident Mickey Eldridge, in public comments, passionately advocated for the service, citing personal experiences where ambulance shortages led to life-threatening delays for members of her family.
She emphasized that Crossville’s aging population and high call volume necessitate a dedicated service, which could leverage the fire department’s existing paramedic-trained personnel.
In the work session, Councilmember Dr. Mark Fox proposed starting the service by July 1, 2026, with four ambulances and cross-trained firefighter-paramedics. However, City Finance Director Nathan Clouse believed such a service could result in a projected $1.8 million annual loss, including $390,000 – $400,000 for equipment and $500,000 for wage adjustments across departments.
Revenue from an estimated 5,000 calls, with only around 3,500 – 4,000 being billable, would be limited by low Medicare and TennCare reimbursements, with only 10–12% from commercial insurance.
A 30-cent property tax increase or depleting city savings were brought up as possible funding options, but this only raised concerns about financial sustainability and the county possibly reducing its EMS presence, risking double taxation.
Fire Chief Chris South and Eldridge argued the service would complement county EMS, but County EMS Director Chris Miller warned that losing 40–50% of call volume could lead to layoffs and longer response times elsewhere.
The council will weigh these factors before making a decision at next week’s meeting on Tuesday night.
